Ashley went out to the garage to get her bicycle. She stuffed her NY Mets hat in her backpack and put on her bicycle helmet. Then she took her bicycle down from the hooks on the wall, opened the garage door and rode up the street to Josh’s house.
Josh was waiting at the end of his driveway. “Boy,” he said. “It sure took you long enough to get here!”
“Don’t be silly,” said Ashley. “I just helped to clear the dishes from the table and then I came right over!”
“Well,” answered Josh. “It sure seemed like forever!”
“That’s only because you’re anxious to show the ring to Fred. You do have it, don’t you?” said Ashley.
“Of course I have it,” answered Josh with a huff. “What kind of a knucklehead do you think I am? It’s in my backpack!”
“Sorry,” said Ashley. “I guess I’m a little anxious too!” I hope Fred can tell us something about the ring!”
“Me, too!” said Josh. “Come on, let’s go!” He started riding up Foggy Bottom Road and turned right on Matthews Road for the ride into town.”
The half-mile ride into town didn’t take them very long and they soon arrived at the police station. They parked their bikes by the front of the building, took their helmets off and went inside.
Officer Fred Beasley was sitting at the front counter and greeted them.
“Hi, kids,” said Fred. “What brings you here today? Another case?”
“Well, sort of,” answered Ashley.
“Really?” said Fred whose eyes grew wide. “I was just kidding. I should know by now that you two are always on a case!”
Ashley laughed and said, “I guess so, but this time we really weren’t looking for anything. We were just at the beach.”
“Yeah,” Josh chimed in. “I found this and we wondered if you know anything about it.” He took the gold band from his backpack and put it on the counter.
Fred gave a short whistle as he picked up the ring. “Wow, where did you find this?”
“I was using my Dad’s metal detector and found it in the sand,” explained Josh.
“Hmm,” said Fred as he looked inside the ring. “There’s an inscription and a date. That should help us track it down! Let me check our records.” Fred turned to look at the computer screen. After a few minutes he said, “I think we may have found something!”
